Automatic or semi-automatic dispensing machine for wipe material with selector device

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus including a device for selecting the operating mode of the apparatus so that it operates automatically or semi-automatically. The device includes a first member forming a double lever with opposed arms freely and pivotally mounted in the central portion of the device relative to a fixed point on the flange of the housing of the apparatus. The ends of the double lever are arranged to be functional depending on the operating mode of the apparatus. The device includes a second, handle-like component positioned and pivotally mounted about the pivot axis of the double lever. The handle is pivotable between two end positions counter to a resilient return mechanism enabling, depending on its position, the double lever to be positioned relative to a rotatable drum and the device to be operated in either an automatic or semi-automatic mode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of automatic orsemi-automatic dispensing machines for paper wipes of the hand-wipe,toilet paper, general-purpose wipe and similar types.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are already many dispensing machines for paper wipes, especiallythose developed by the Applicant, which ensure dispensing either inautomatic mode after the user simply pulls the paper or insemi-automatic mode requiring the use of an operating lever. Thesedispensing machines are operationally reliable but it is not always veryeasy to implement selection of the operating mode and this requires anextremely large number of parts. Current semi-automatic machines oftenrequire repeated intervention or manipulation of the operating lever inorder to make the strip of paper emerge from the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object sought after according to the invention is therefore todesign a machine that is very simple and which can be easilymanipulated, after visualisation of the automatic or semi-automaticmodes.

Another object sought after is to design a machine containing a minimumof parts and components.

Another object sought after is to obtain, in semi-automatic dispensingmode, emergence of the strip of paper out of the machine by a singleoperation performed by the operator.

These objects and others will become apparent from the rest of thedescription.

According to a first aspect, an automatic or semi-automatic dispensingmachine for wipe material includes a housing that accommodates a hingedcover. The housing has walls or lateral end shields between which a drumassociated with a cutting device is positioned. An off-center lever ismounted at one end of a drum shaft and accommodates a first elasticreturn means used to start it. The surface of the drum opposite thataccommodating the off-center lever being designed with an axiallylocated operating button, is distinctive in that it includes a devicefor selecting the operating mode, whether an automatic or semi-automaticmode. The device further includes a first sub-assembly forming a doublelever with opposite legs mounted so that a middle part of the leverpivots freely relative to a fixed point on one of the end shields of themachine housing. The ends of the double lever are devised so that theyare functional depending on the mode (automatic or semiautomatic) inwhich the machine is used. A handle of the selector device is positionedand hinged around the hinge pin of the double lever such that the handlepivots between two end positions in opposition to a second elasticreturn means. Depending on its location, the double lever is positionedrelative to the drum and ensures operation of the device in either theautomatic version or semi-automatic version.

These aspects and others will be apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In order to define the object of the invention shown merely by way ofexample, reference is made to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a profile view of the machine in its automatic operating modehighlighting the various components of the selector device.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view in accordance with FIG. 1 showing theposition of the selector device in the automatic dispensing version.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to the profile view of the machine in FIG. 1 inits semi-automatic version.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 along arrow B in FIG. 3 in thesemi-automatic version.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged scale partial view before assembly of the selectordevice according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view according to a rear view of a firstsub-assembly of the selector device.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view according to a rear view of a secondsub-assembly of the selector device.

FIG. 8 is a view of the dispensing of paper in the semi-automaticversion after a single manual command given by the operator to make thepaper emerge.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged scale view of the opposite part of the dispensingmachine highlighting the means used to eject the strip of paper afteractuating the operating lever in semi-automatic selection mode.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged scale partial view showing the drum of thedispensing machine devised with means that contribute to the operationof the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the object of the invention may be more readilyunderstood, it is now described by way of example, reference being madeto the Figures in the drawings.

The paper-wipe dispensing machine is referred to in its entirety as (1).It is used for the automatic or semi-automatic dispensing of strips ofpaper for use as hand-wipes, general-purpose wipes or toilet paper.These strips may be presented flat, folded, or unfolded depending on thetechniques and means described in numerous patents that have beendeveloped by the Applicant.

Before describing the characteristics of the automatic or semi-automaticmode selector device, it is appropriate to first restate the knowngeneral configuration of this type of machine. The selector device whichis the subject of the present invention is not strictly speakingconfined to the layout of the known components which will be describedbelow by way of examples.

The machine comprises a housing (2) made of any material on which acover (3) is hinge-mounted on the front. The housing has lateral wallsor end shields capable of accommodating and allowing transversepositioning of a drum (4) associated with a built-in cutting device (5).This drum with the cutting device is described, in particular, in FrenchPatent No. 2.332.215 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.In particular, it uses, on one of the transverse sides of the machineand to ensure rotation and starting of the drum, an off-centre lever (6)mounted on the shaft of the drum capable of accommodating an elasticreturn means (7) used to start it in order to ensure fast, clean cuttingof the paper.

Above the drum there is, still in accordance with the prior art, apressure component (8) that pushes against the drum, the strip of paperbeing inserted between its two components from a reel or roll ofmaterial (R) placed between the upper end shields of the housing. Theroll and pressure component are secured in any appropriate manner on theabove-mentioned end shields, by clicking them in for example.

The face of the drum opposite that which accommodates the off-centrelever, is designed with an operating button (9) located axially and usedto initiate operation of the initial part of the strip.

It is very briefly recalled that this type of device, as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 3 of the present application, generally includes a moldedhousing (2) containing a take-off reel (R) of paper material, a materialcutting-blade (5) pivotally mounted to a support drum (4), and atensioning device (8). As illustrated by a dotted line in FIGS. 1 and 3,a roll of the paper material is mounted on the take-off reel (R). Theinstaller of the paper material manually extends a portion of thematerial from the take-off reel (R) and feeds the portioned materialbetween the drum (4) and the tensioning device (8) which rests againstthe drum (4). The extended material traverses the circumference of thedrum (4) and extends through a slot provided in the bottom of thehousing. When the user applies tension to the paper material either bypulling on the paper material protruding from the bottom slot or byengaging the automatic elastic means, the drum (4), with its roughenedsurface, is driven in rotation. The elastic return means (7) attached tothe drum is adapted to store energy during the initial rotation of thedrum (4). The drum (4) rotates until a dead point is reached whereafterthe elastic return means (7) releases its energy to vigorously drive thedrum (4) in the same paper unwinding direction, causing a predeterminedportion of the paper material to extend through the bottom slot of theapparatus.

The cutting device has been made the subject of previous patents ofApplicant; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,738. Generally, the cuttingdevice (5) consists of a toothed metal blade. The drum (4) includes alongitudinal slot and the cutting device (5) is pivotally mounted in theslot of the drum (4) and carries a follower which cooperates with afixed cam such that the cutting device is retracted into the drum in aninoperative position and projects from the slot in the drum in theoperative position to produce a cut across the entire width of the papermaterial while the latter is maintained in tension on both sides of thecutting device. When the deadpoint is reached, the follower causes thecutting device to pivot which produces exit of the blade through theslot in the drum (4) making it describe an arc of a circle spaced fromthe drum (4) (under the rotation effect of the drum). The tension onpaper material resulting from the user's pulling combined with thepressure of the take-off reel (R) and tensioning device (8) on the drum(4), causes the teeth of the blade to penetrate the taut paper andeffect a clean instantaneous cut.

These general components having been restated, the selector device inaccordance with the invention, and which makes it possible to convertthe machine to automatic or semi-automatic operation quickly, will nowbe explained.

For this purpose and according to the invention, the operating modeselector device of the automatic version or semi-automatic version ofthe machine comprises a first sub-assembly (10) forming a double leverwith opposite legs (10a-10b), its middle part (10c) having an opening(10d) or hole capable of engaging with a fixed point of the peg type(11) of matching shape located on the front end of the end shield facingthe housing. This double lever comprises a first profiled leg (10a)facing towards the outside of the machine and forming a push surface(10e) for positioning the user's thumb. Advantageously, a legend ormarking is indicated on the above-mentioned push surface--in the exampleshown, the word "PUSH". The other leg (10b) of this double lever isdevised so that its end is in the shape of a double bent hook (10f) oneend (10g) of which is curved in order to fit into a cylindrical opening(4a) formed on the end shield (4b) facing the drum. This double lever ismounted so that it pivots freely around its peg-shaft.

The selector device comprises a second component defined by a handle(12) which is positioned and centred relative to the hinge pin (11) ofthe double lever. For this purpose, said handle has a flank (12a) madewith an oblong opening (12b) capable of allowing it to engage with andtravel around a protruding pin (13) devised so that it projects beyondthe peg (11). The flank of said handle has a finger (14) used to fix areturn means (15) of the spring type, the first end (15a) of which isattached to the finger and the other end (15b) of which is attached to aprotruding point (16) formed on the end shield of the housing. Thehandle also has a tab (12c) of almost identical profile to the pushsurface of double lever (10) so that said tab is capable of moving intoa position directly above the push surface. The word "STOP" for exampleis marked on the lower surface of the tab and an arrow symbol, forexample, is marked on its upper surface. Thus, when the handle restsagainst the double lever the word "PUSH" on the tab is hidden and onlythe upper surface of the handle with the arrow symbol is visible.

As indicated above, the drum (4) is devised with an internal circularopening (4a) on the same side as the operating button and facing thedouble lever. As shown in FIG. 10, the outer periphery of the cavity hasa projection (18) forming a non-return limit stop when the dispensingmachine operates in automatic mode. In addition and around the shaft ofthe drum, there is a profiled cam (19) having a beak shape (19a) thatconstitutes a non-return limit stop when the machine operates insemi-automatic mode.

The operation of the machine in both versions where the selector deviceis in the automatic dispensing position and then in the semi-automaticdispensing position is now described, reference being made to thedrawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing machine is in automatic mode. In thiscase handle (12) is positioned immediately above the small tab of thedouble lever. It is secured in position, as is the double lever, by thereturn force of the elastic means (15) directly associated with thehandle. Due to this force, the hook part of the double lever is pulledtowards the front of the machine so that it follows the external insideprofile of the cylindrical cavity of the drum. The non-return limit stopprevents the drum from rotating in the opposite direction. During thisuse, the off-centre lever and its return spring located on the otherside of the drum operates normally and, after dispensing a length ofpaper strip, the spring associated with the off-centre lever forstarting the drum returns to its initial slack position.

When the operator wants to set the machine to semi-automatic mode,he/she actuates handle (12). The handle pivots 180° relative to thehinge pin associated with the rotation peg on the double lever. Thistherefore reveals the word "PUSH" marked on the push surface of leg(10a) of the double lever. This then causes extension of spring (15)associated with the handle and, if the latter moves beyond the deadpoint corresponding to maximum extension of the spring, the handle isthen pulled back against the second leg of the double lever and issecured by the spring-back effect of the spring in question therebyrevealing the word "STOP". Due to the pressure force of above-mentionedspring, the double lever is, in its turn, pivoted by several degreesinto the position shown in FIG. 3. In this case the hook part of thedouble lever comes into contact and presses against the cam in thecavity made in the drum. This semi-automatic positioning will causepartial displacement of the hook part of the double lever along atrajectory of rotation of less than 360° due to the limit-stoppingeffect created by the special-purpose profile of the cam. The drum istherefore locked in position and the strip of paper does not emerge fromthe machine. The spring associated with the off-centre lever stillretains its residual tension. In order to ensure ejection of the paper,the operator then presses on the double lever on the correspondingpressure area, thereby exerting a thrust force that exceeds that of thespring associated with the handle. The hook part of the double levertherefore moves away releasing itself from the cam and its limit stopand therefore releasing the drum. The residual tension of the springassociated with the off-centre lever in turn causes a spring-back forcewhich enables the drum of the machine to rotate several degrees over anangular sector that is sufficient to make the strip of paper emerge sothat it can be pulled by the user.

Spring (15) associated with handle (12) ensures, through its spring-backeffect, jamming and locking in position of the handle and double lever.

The selector device is therefore extremely simple and does not requireany special mechanical means. It is easy for an operator to manipulateit. This is facilitated by marking several visual legends that aresimple to remember. The device can be installed quickly and the shape ofthe parts is simple to produce.

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper dispensing machine capable of anautomatic and a semi-automatic operation mode, said paper dispensingmachine comprising:a housing accommodating a hinged cover; a drumpositioned between opposing end shields of said housing, said drumhaving a drum shaft; a cutting device associated with said drum; anoff-center lever mounted at one end of said drum shaft and accommodatinga first elastic return component used to actuate said off-center lever,the end of the drum shaft opposite that accommodating said off-centerlever including an axially mounted operating button; and a selectordevice for selecting the operating mode of the machine, said selectordevice including a first sub-assembly forming a double lever withopposite legs mounted such that a middle part freely pivots relative toa fixed point on one of said opposing end shields of the housing, anddefining a pivot axis thereof, the ends of the double lever beingfunctional depending on the mode in which the machine is used, saidselector device further including a handle positioned and pivotallymounted about the pivot axis of the double lever, said handle beingpivotally mounted between two end positions counter to a second elasticreturn component enabling, the double lever to be positioned relative tothe drum and allowing the selector device to selectively enable betweenautomatic and semi-automatic modes, said double lever including a firstprofiled leg facing the exterior of the machine and the handle having atab of identical profile to the push surface of the double lever, saidfirst profiled leg forming a push surface for positioning a user'sthumb, said push surface being marked with the word "PUSH", whereasrespective upper and lower surfaces of the tab of the handle are markedrespectively with an arrow and the word "STOP".
 2. A paper dispensingmachine as recited in claim 1, wherein said double lever includes asecond leg, one end of the second leg having a double bent hook shapehaving one curved end which fits into a cylindrical opening formed on anend shield of the drum.
 3. A paper dispensing machine as recited inclaim 2, wherein the middle part of the double lever includes an openingthat freely engages with a fixed peg located on the end shield facingthe housing.
 4. A paper dispensing machine as recited in claim 3,wherein the handle is positioned and centered on a hinge pin of thedouble lever, said handle further having a flank made with an oblongopening enabling engagement with and travel around a protruding pin thatprojects beyond the fixed peg.
 5. A paper dispensing machine as recitedin claim 4, wherein the flank of the handle includes a finger used tofix said second elastic return component, said second elastic returncomponent including a spring having a first end attached to the fingerand an opposite end which is attached to a protruding point formed on anend shield of the housing.
 6. A paper dispensing machine as recited inclaim 5, wherein the drum includes an internal circular opening formedon the same side thereof as the operating button and facing the doublelever, said internal circular opening including a projection on theouter periphery of the opening forming a non-return limit stop in orderto obtain automatic operation of the machine and an axial cam having aprofile for enabling semi-automatic operation of the machine.
 7. A paperdispensing machine as recited in claim 6, in which during semi-automaticoperation of the machine, the end of the bent part of the double leveris in contact with the profile of the axial cam after partial rotationof the drum corresponding to no ejection of the strip of paper from themachine, thereby leaving a residual release force in the first elasticreturn component which is associated with the off-center lever,and inthat actuating the push surface of the double lever releases said drumat the end of its rotation due to the spring-back effect of the firstelastic return component associated with the off-center lever in orderto make a strip of paper emerge so that it can be grasped.
 8. A paperdispensing machine as recited in claim 7, wherein the interconnection ofthe second elastic return component with said handle ensures aspring-back effect, if said second elastic return component isoverextended, said spring-back effect causing the handle and the doublelever to be secured in a locked position.
 9. A paper dispensing machineas recited in claim 8, in which when in the automatic paper dispensingversion, the double lever is in a position where its curved end is incontact with the outer periphery of the circular opening made underneaththe end shield of the drum and the tab of the handle presses against thepush surface of the double lever due to the tension and spring-backaction of said second elastic return component;and in which, in thesemi-automatic dispensing position, the double lever is in a positionwhere it is tilted towards the rear with one leg in contact with saidaxial cam and the handle presses against the opposing leg of the doublelever and is secured in position by the tension/spring-back effect ofsaid second elastic return component with the push surface of the doublelever being free.